On Friday 13th June our dedicated team of recruitment talent acquisition specialists were fortunate enough to be invited to the MBA Lancaster Business School that took place in London.

The day was an opportunity for the team to meet and network with the Lancaster Business School Alumni who have experience in sectors ranging from FMCG, to Banking and Management Consultancy. Alongside this however, the Global Career Company team were able to present thoughts on talent mobility, with a focus on emerging markets which was well received by students and Alumni alike. Looking at future trends in the market, it has been recognised that talent, skills and capability needs to become global. The war for technical and functional expertise is now globally integrated. Skills and talent must be looked for in the right place and competed for with a local employer brand, taking into account that countries need a different set of practices, slightly different approaches and local optimisation.

The overall theme of the day looked at career development, covering networking, mobility and career focussed motivation. With a strong presence at the event from the team, we were able to engage with delegates from both Africa and Asia who would be looking to develop their careers back in their home countries. The day meant we were able to build relationships further with the Careers Services and highlight how we can support with the career development of their students both past and present. We look forward to working with the Lancaster Business School on going and supporting those with career development requirements by our expertise and network.

On Sunday the 15th of June 2014, the Careers in Maghreb team from Global Career Company attended the ATUGE Forum, that took place at Paris’s Dauphine University. Our dedicated team of specialists, with over x years of experience were in support for the x year in a row. With over 16 companies participating and hundreds of candidates that came through the doors, the event was extremely well organised and a huge success!

Throughout the event, our Careers in Maghreb team interacted with various candidates coming from different sectors varying from IT, Telecom, Consultancy to Finance

and of all levels of experience. ATUGE has once again proved itself to be a must attend event, in terms of both client and candidate calibre.

The First Lady of Mozambique, Maria da Luz Guebuza, led the agenda at Women’s Conference that took place on Friday 3rd June at the Park Royal Hotel in London. This prestigious event was attended by a number of notable figures from the Mozambique community that were there to discuss the causes and commitment required to support the treatment of Cancer and HIV.

The purpose of the ceremony was to launch a Cancer and HIV prevention campaign and the support that will be given into mobilising resources, and was the third part of a global launch campaign for this initiative.

As well as focussing on such an important cause for the Mozambique community, the first lady also emphasised the shortage of skilled Mozambican workforces to exploit these resources, such as engineers and technicians who are needed in order to continue working on prevention solutions such as vaccinations. This lack of skilled workers means that there is no choice but for talent to be sourced from international markets.

With Talent Agenda strategies for the African market and how to support economies and communities very much at the forefront of what Global Career Company do, we were able to discuss how we could work to support and build an economy with a skilled workforce that is currently lacking. Following this, our representative from Global Career Company Diana Carvalho, was able to meet the Mozambique Ambassador Isabel Dos Santos in London to brainstorm on talent agenda solutions and strategies to support the need for a skilled workforce in this market.

Diana said of her experience of the day, ‘The number HIV patients, especially amongst new-born’s were shocking, Mozambique is in urgent need of help if it is to continue to grow. According to the World Bank, the population and labour force is decreasing, in other words, the population is aging and the skilled labour force is not returning, which is a matter of great concern especially when infant mortality is extremely high. As recruitment specialists, we are committed to ensure the talent is attracted, selected and returned to the country but is Mozambique ready accommodate these skilful, ambitious with know how new leaders? Our healthy GDP and economy structure trend says we are getting there. It was motivating to hear the first lady stating a problem that here at GCC we are equipped to provide a solution for, and the fact that I am part of an initiative that will change my country for the better is a great feeling.’

Although the day was designed to focus on Cancer and HIV Prevention launch, there was also an opportunity to celebrate the rituals of Mozambique, which included singing in Chuwabu dialect, dancing and wearing traditional clothing.

Global Career Company was represented by Diana Carvalho at the Women’s Conference hosted by the High Commission of the Republic of Mozambique with the first lady Maria da Luz Guebuza as a special guest. Global Career Company supports these cultural events as a means of supporting Mozambique development. For more information on our services plesae get in touch with us at contactus@globalcc.net.

A Global Career Company esteve presente na Conferência da Associação de Mulheres Moçambicanas em Londres onde a primeira-dama de Moçambique Maria Da Luz Guebuza lançou um apelo à comunidade Moçambicana no tratamento do Cancro e do vírus HIV.

A primeira-dama de Moçambique, Maria da Luz Guebuza, liderou a agenda na Conferência da Associação de Mulheres Moçambicanas em Londres, no dia 3 de Junho Terça-feira no Hotel Royal Park, em South Kensington. Este prestigiado evento contou com uma série de pessoas influentes na comunidade Moçambicana como a embaixatriz da primeira-dama, Isabel dos Santos, que analisou as causas e apoio necessário no auxílio ao tratamento do Cancro e do vírus HIV, o objectivo da cerimónia.

A terceira parte desta cerimónia ficou marcada pelo lançamento de uma campanha nacional para o tratamento do Cancro e prevenção do vírus HIV, bem como para a mobilização de recursos humanos que possa apoiar o projecto.

Embora o dia tenha sido sobretudo vocacionado para o tratamento do Cancro e prevenção do vírus HIV, houve também espaço para celebrar a cultura Moçambicana, que incluiu cantos e danças tradicionais.

A Global Career Company fez-se representar, na Conferência organizada pelo Alto Comissariado da República de Moçambique em Londres, por Diana Carvalho, onde esteve presente, como convidada especial, a primeira-dama Maria da Luz Guebuza.

Para a Global Career Company, apoiar estes eventos socioculturais em proximidade com a comunidade, é uma das formas mais positivas de continuar a apoiar o desenvolvimento de Moçambique.

Para mais informações sobre quem somos e sobre os nossos serviços, por favor entre em contacto via email: contactus@globalcc.net.

Rapid growth in African markets means companies need the right talent. The Careers in Africa London Summit provided a selection of high calibre candidates for companies who are looking for their leaders of tomorrow.

Africa continues to see strong economic growth in 2014 and that looks set to continue well into 2015, with some African countries in double digit growth. The story for Africa currently is overwhelmingly positive. The average growth rate is about 4% year on year, although there are variations across regions and industries in this market, with East and West Africa showing the fastest growth.

In order to support sustainable growth plans, companies in this market are looking to invest in their future leaders who can drive businesses forward. The 12th annual Careers in Africa’s London Summit provided the perfect platform for companies to meet and interview talent that could be an integral part of their development plans, with over 1700 high calibre candidates in attendance.
As growth is on the rise , it is not a surprise that the multinationals are investing heavily in African markets. Seadrill, one of the companies recruiting at the Summit with roles available across Africa is expanding its global footprint, and recognises the need for the right talent to support this expansion . Sandra Branganca at Seadril commented on the level of available talent, ‘We are very happy to be here at this event, and we have found a lot of good talent for Africa.’ The future is promising for organisations as the talent pool is available and wants to work with leading brands to support economic growth for their home countries. Candidates that attended reflected this sentiment with one candidate commenting on the employment market and the benefits of returning to Africa, ‘‘It was always going to be the long term goal to head back home. What motivates me is my family and also the growth and opportunities in Africa that there is compared to Europe.’

With the majority of companies looking to fill opportunities in these African markets, it is no surprise that there were hour long queues at some of the exhibitor stands, especially those who have a wide business presence across Africa. Rapid growth can only mean aggressive investment in talent and recruitment strategies from these major players, with a trend that looks like it will only grow further in the coming year. Alex Mugan, the Marketing Director at Global Career Company has seen this trend develop over the last year ‘The market conditions in Africa continue to change rapidly, meaning organisations need to be recruiting talent that will help drive business performance forward over the longer term – with companies looking for those ‘star’ candidates, the potential business leaders of the future. These candidates have to display the right level and mix of both relevant qualifications and experience as well as soft skills that they can bring to an organisation. Staff retention is also on the increase, as companies invest more in their employees, understanding the value and impact investment in human capital can have on a business.’

The Summit this year was supported by a new initiative, the Talent Agenda Conference, that focussed on the skills and talent gap between local African talent and the Diaspora, to understand in more depth the challenges that companies face, and where they can resource a sustainable talent pool that meets all their requirements. Alessandra Zorzato, Events Director for Global Career Company who managed the conference commented on the positive contributions from attending clients: ‘The Talent Agenda 2014 London Conference was the first event in a Series that aims at supporting businesses in Africa in writing their future recruitment strategy blueprint. Speakers and attendees welcomed the Conference as informative and well-attended, and Careers in Africa and Global Career Company as forthcoming thought-leaders in human capital excellence for Africa.‘

The Careers in Africa London Summit was the most successful Summit for Global Career Company to date, which saw over 1700 candidates and 28 participating companies attend the weekend long event. For more information on the Careers in Africa Summit’s and how to get involved please contact Global Career Company on conference@globalcc.net.

Global Career Company would like to congratulate Aliko Dangote on being nominated by TIME magazine as one of world’s 100 most influential people in 2014. Being Africa’s most powerful business leader,

we are proud to have been able to work with him in the past through our Careers in Africa Recruitment Summits, and we look forward to continuing our support to Dangote Group.

Constantly looking to drive the economic growth, his work has undoubtedly helped support Africa’s continuing development. As we focus on Human Capital growth in Africa through our Careers in Africa Summits and other recruitment services, we hope our work with Aliko has been able to support some of the key areas of focus for this country.

Human Capital Excellence in Africa

The Talent Gap in Africa: Challenges to Businesses

With many markets across Africa in double digit growth, expansion in the continent is high on the agenda of companies around the world. Despite this potential however, Africa faces one big challenge in creating sustainable growth, a talent gap hindering the pace of growth. This is a challenge recognised at the top level, as the 16th Annual Global Survey conducted by PwC in 2012 of over 1300 CEO’s, highlighted that 82% of African CEO’s view the availability of key skills as a threat to business growth.

As human capital is the key to growth in this market, finding the right talent to ensure continued growth for organisations is paramount. Constraints on the availability of local talent possessing the skills and expertise to support businesses in a booming economy will have a major impact on future growth. Assessing skilled human capital in many African countries is an issue, and many do not have the expertise or experience required by the businesses to fulfil the roles available – the roles that will drive businesses – subsequently resulting in many turning to the pool of available diaspora to ensure business growth. The talent gap widens the higher up the hierarchy of a company you go, with the lack of soft skills and international experience required at a managerial level being the catalyst for companies to seek talent from outside Africa. Although this is one solution to ensure continued growth, it overlooks the fact that the real issues are around developing local talent to meet these organisational requirements. Local talent needs to be supported and developed early on to reach the skill and experience levels required by companies in Africa. Companies need to nurture Africa’s future business leaders from the outset to ensure the talent pool is available to them at a local level.

It is inevitable that the levels of growth will slow down if local talent is not managed and developed. What is required is a deeper understanding of the skills needed, and skills specifically that will benefit businesses in the African market, some of which do not currently exist in the local talent pool available.
In most cases, a mix of both local and diaspora talent could be the solution – ensuring local talent is exposed to those who have gained international experience in order to share their knowledge and expertise, creating a development agenda within organisations. This is until the levels of education and work experience available to African talent wishing to stay in their home country are at the standard required by organisations, and therefore more competitive internationally. Alongside this, the cultural knowledge and understanding of the market place that local talent can bring to a company is also essential. Without this deeper level of understanding of a market place, organisations may find growth is not at a level they require as this intrinsic knowledge is invaluable. It must also be taken into consideration that returning diaspora, whilst they may have certain soft skills required to fulfil an organisations requirements, may need support re-integrating back into society. How long they have been away and their level of experience and education could have an adverse effect in terms of embedding themselves easily into the culture and environment of an organisation.

The Talent Agenda 2014 Conference organised by Global Career Company is taking place on May 16th in London at the Hilton in Canary Wharf. It aims to cover this increasingly important topic for discussion, and is a unique opportunity to bring together HR Leaders, business leaders and academics to provide an understanding of the challenges businesses face in finding or creating the talent needed to operate and grow internationally.
Alex Mugan, Marketing Director at Global Career Company said about the conference: “Rapid growth creates demand in human capital, not just for new talent, but for the delivery of excellence across the field. From in- house recruiters to consultancies and agencies, this is the reality for anyone operating in Africa. The Talent Agenda 2014 Conference is a long term view of the market place as it stands and where it wants to get to. Assessing and addressing the issues, and creating a blueprint to support businesses in achieving human capital excellence, is critical to the success of all professionals in this space.’

With a packed agenda and a panel of guest speakers from companies such as Exim Bank, Amatheon Agri Holding, Ashridge, Schlumberger and Unilever, Talent Agenda 2014 will lead the discussion on human capital excellence in Africa. There are still a limited number of opportunities to attend so contact Global Career Company for more information on conference@globalcc.net.

Mauritius: in transition from playground to regional powerhouse

Famous as the destination of choice for the world’s celebrities (and their yachts), the island nation of Mauritius has quietly become a new oasis for savvy investors. At the end of 2013, Mauritius was judged to be the most competitive nation in Africa* by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and has begun attracting substantial amounts of interest from South Africa. To put that achievement in perspective, sub-Saharan Africa as a whole demonstrated economic growth rates of nearly 5% in 2012/13, so for Mauritius to top the table reveals exceptional levels of growth, investment and development, all from a base of considerable stability, according to WEF.

Mauritius – stability, trade and infrastructure

There are three primary reasons for Mauritius to be such an attractive proposition: a stable political system, low trade barriers and good infrastructure. At just 788 square miles, the island punches way above its geographical size; in a region where distance can be a real disincentive to good trading relationships, this compact state has developed strong internal structures to support entrepreneurship and its famously friendly holiday vibe has translated well into a positive business attitude currently being transmitted on a regional basis.

“The South African interest in Mauritius is just one example of a trend we’ve seen across markets in the region. Increasingly, African business is being defined as much by internal dynamics as by relationships with other markets worldwide, and as recruitment follows investment, the challenge for firms like ours is to demonstrate a capability to deliver talent from local markets and the Diaspora within and beyond the African continent,” says Mercia Dube, a Recruitment Consultant at Global Career Company’s Johannesburg Office.

Mauritius – recruitment and continuing talent investment

The dynamism of investment is the exciting phase, which will ideally be supported by a strategic development of talent based on recruitment in Mauritius, both from local pools and from outside. Effective recruitment and talent development will extend this competitive advantage further across an island which is superbly placed to be a regional transport hub and a centre for excellence in logistics, banking and – of course – tourism-related enterprise. As a result, jobs in Mauritius are becoming ever more diverse, with a new focus on professional roles outside the hospitality industry and agriculture.

http://www.weforum.org/reports/global-competitiveness-report-2013-2014